The Raiders might be planning to sit on Derek Carr, for now

The Raiders have 16 days to figure out a potential quarterback trade Derek Carr $40.4 million before future compensation is fully vested. So why don’t they Carr has been given the go-ahead to try to find a fan?

Here’s the problem. The Raiders fear that those discussions will result in a nod to the understanding that Carr will tell the Raiders he will not waive his no-trade clause, forcing his release, and then allow the new team to get more than he would like. to pay if he has to compensate the Raiders as well.

From Carr’s perspective, cutting is better than negotiating. He picks his destination, maximizes his compensation, and his new team can pay him more because he didn’t have to send his old team a draft or two.

The Raiders are smart enough to realize that. So the goal for now seems to be to prevent Carr from finding out what’s behind Gate 2. The more he knows what other teams will or won’t do, the more likely he will realize that his best play would be to fold his own. weapons and refuse to cooperate.

Then there is this option. The Raiders, instead of cutting it, will keep it. And keep it. And keep it until they get the deal they want.

It would be similar to what the Browns did Baker Mayfield. Yes, he had a salary of $19.9 million for 2022. But he didn’t play anywhere. And the longer he played, the harder it would be to prepare for the regular season.

He ended up paying $4.6 million, saving the Browns $9.4 million.

The Raiders may actually benefit from Carr sitting out until the veteran quarterback’s game of musical chairs is over. Assuming at least one quarterback-needy team doesn’t get the guy they want, the Raiders will be operating from a position of strength.

Contractually, if they try to reach an agreement with Carr before February 15th, they will be operating from a position of weakness.

If it’s what the Raiders do, it’s quite a gamble. A $40.4 million bet, more than double the Browns’ $19.9 million.

Carr could say, “Okay. I’m going to show up to practice and games and collect your checks and not play.” They can’t shut him down if he wants to be there.

But the Raiders could be hoping Carr desperately doesn’t want to be there, and also wants to be somewhere else. That’s the way to cut that $40.4 million enough to facilitate a trade, even if the Raiders end up paying a portion of it.

That’s much better than paying for it all.